Can I buy a stock, keep it for years and withdraw the profits when I want, or do I have to sell a stock to withdraw my earnings from it?

If you own a stock that has appreciated in value (capital appreciation), you must sell it in order to realize the gain. If you own a stock that provides dividends, you may continue to hold the stock for as long as you like and use the dividends as you wish.

You can learn more about how stocks work by visiting our consumer website, GetSmarterAboutMoney.ca. Speak with a registered financial representative for investment advice.